Published:
05/19/2015 9:49AM
By:
bradleyc

This year's accrediting process consisted of several steps to include a site visit where accrediting board members tour and evaluate the program's facilities. The process also included interviews with current students, alumni and interviews with employers of recent graduates. In addition, the process included the submission of 209- page report which entailed statistical data used to highlight strengths and weaknesses. This thorough process occurs every five years with a less complex process occurring annually.

Dr. George McCommon, head of Fort Valley State University's Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, said the accreditation renewal confirms the value of the education and dedication of the department's staff.

"Members of the accrediting board complimented us on the enthusiasm of the instructors and the enthusiasm of the students. They expressed that we are truly a unique program in the United States," McCommon said.

FVSU's Veterinary Technology Program differs from other veterinary technology programs because many veterinary technology programs offer an associate's degree and focus on small animals. FVSU offers a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology with a curriculum that prepares students to work with large and small animals.

As a result, McCommon said in the past few years, several students have earned the bachelor's degree in veterinary technology and furthered their education to veterinary school earning a doctorate of veterinary medicine. He said earning a degree from an accredited program is vital for students who seek advancement in the profession because students cannot take the National Veterinary Boards if they don't graduate from an accredited program.

McCommon attributes the accreditation renewal and the success of the program to the hard work of the faculty, staff and students in the department.

Karen Capps-McMullan, an FVSU registered veterinary technician, who assists with classroom instruction said re-accreditation by the AVMA confirms that our program provides an excellent education and offers modern equipped facilities to help our students succeed in the veterinary technician field. She said months of preparation for this process have paid off.

"The re-accreditation process involves a large amount of tedious paperwork followed by a site visit. Both factions of the process have to go well in order for us to pass. It was a group effort involving our entire department, and everyone worked extremely hard to help make this happen," Capps-McMullan said.

Kaitlyn Main, rising senior in FVSU's Veterinary Technology Program, said she is proud to be a student at FVSU and future graduate of the program. "The program is hands-on from the beginning and we have top notch facilities so once we graduate we should be able to adapt quickly to any environment," Main said.

Dr. Govind Kannan, dean of the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, expressed his gratitude towards the hard work and achievements within the department. "We have an outstanding team of faculty and staff in the Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health. With the state-of-the-art infrastructure, accredited programs, and committed leadership I am sure the department will reach new heights," Kannan said.

For more information about FVSU's Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health call 478-825- 6424 or visit ag.fvsu.edu.